Tyler Stephenson smoked a liner off Braves reliever Richard Rodríguez in the eighth inning on Tuesday night, a ball with a 99.8 mph exit velocity, according to Statcast, and a .770 expected batting average. Shortstop Dansby Swanson, though, was in line with the ball’s trajectory, caught it easily and nearly doubled up Tyler Naquin at first base.

The lineout left Stephenson with an 0-for-3 line in the series opener at Truist Park, a line that could’ve sunk the rookie catcher’s spirits. But really, there wasn’t much that could bring down Stephenson as he played his first game in his hometown as a Major Leaguer.

Stephenson grew up in the Atlanta area and was a Braves fan as a kid. He attended Kennesaw (Ga.) Mountain High School and was committed to play baseball at Georgia Tech. As someone with roots around the city, Stephenson’s homecoming resulted in plenty of fans showing up to support the 24-year-old.

“Just like batting practice, my family was all there, they made it early,” Stephenson said postgame on Tuesday. “I had a whole bunch of support from my high school, which was awesome. People that I haven't seen since I graduated just because they went off to college, and obviously, I've been traveling around throughout the Minor Leagues.”

Stephenson was on the taxi squad when Cincinnati was swept in the National League Wild Card Series in 2020, barely missing out on making his Atlanta debut that season. However, with no fans in the stands and stricter COVID protocols not allowing him to spend time with his family, playing his first game at Truist Park back then may not have felt as special as it did on Tuesday.

“I was telling somebody that I think I was more nervous tonight in my first at-bat than I was in my debut,” Stephenson said. “Now granted, we obviously didn't have fans and stuff [last season], but it was truly something special. I'll cherish this for a long time. It was fun.”

As Stephenson took batting practice, he could hear his family cheering for him. As he warmed up with catching coach J.R. House, he could hear some old friends yelling at him. And as Stephenson warmed up Tuesday starter Sonny Gray in the bullpen, even more buddies were calling his name.

Despite eventually going hitless after reaching on an error and a walk, that support Stephenson received from his “home” crowd made the experience one he won’t soon forget.

“Sure enough, getting in there and then going up first at-bat, my heart rate was just probably sitting at 200,” Stephenson said. “It was insane. It was all worth it, though.”

Senzel, Antone nearing returns

Nick Senzel (left knee surgery) and Tejay Antone (right forearm strain) both took the field in Triple-A Louisville’s 8-1 win over Nashville on Tuesday, showing progress in their rehab assignments which the Reds hope will come to an end in the next couple of weeks.

Senzel started at shortstop, his first appearance at the position during his rehab stint. He also had his best day at the plate with the Bats -- 3-for-5 with a double -- after going 3-for-17 in his first six rehab contests. Reds manager David Bell said on Tuesday that Senzel played all nine innings and felt no pain in his recovering knee.

Antone pitched a perfect frame in the bottom of the sixth. He struck out two batters in the inning in just his second outing with Louisville. It was a bounce-back outing for the right-hander -- who’s been on the injured list since June 24 -- after he logged two-thirds of an inning on Saturday and allowed an earned run on two hits and a walk. Cincinnati hopes Antone can rejoin the club by the end of August.

“It sounded like he had an easier inning,” Bell said. “He’s still not quite there. It’s good that he’s still pitching in Triple-A and will be for the next week or so, at least.”